Finding Joy in Snarkville

In a few simple steps.

1. Do not read the directions about NOT putting the names on the Valentine’s that were to be sent in.
2. Hand=make all the Valentine’s and COVER them with glitter.
3. Keep your child out of school, forcing the volunteer to pass out the glitter covered, named Valentine’s.

Add to this that at least THREE of the other students’ parents failed the “No Name” rule.

Add in 18 SCREAMING, sugar starved children who are just too excited to be still.

Finally, stir in the slow, sad realization that the glitter covered mess will be entering my house in a few short hours.

I can just picture the mom reading the directions while holding the jar of glitter and thinking….’ohhh, something shiny.’

I’ve made no secret that my family does not DO Valentine’s Day.  (And I ought to note that the “my family” I’m referring to here is really just Prince and me — but still.)  We sit on our high horses and claim things like “It is a Hallmark Holiday.” “Seriously, we can say ‘I love you’ without overpriced flowers and candy.” “Do these chocolates make my butt look fat?”

I take great joy in the conversations Prince has with his buddies from work. “Dude, what did you get your wife for Valentine’s Day?” “Nothing.” “OOOOHHHH, You are gonna be in trouble.” “You think?  Want to bet $10 that she doesn’t even say ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ to me?”

But, we can not opt our darling from the Valentine’s Day fun.  When we were little we loved those little coversation hearts too.

Now, I do have basic rules around the day — first, we don’t do store bought cards (see above about Hallmark holiday).  Now, I’m not against store bought cards, but I prefer to do something that is more personal and fun.  Second, we believe in forcing any amount of sugar on other kids as possible — and the more the school begs us not to, the more my hard heart wants to send in chocolate covered sugar bombs.

So, today, we were home from school and prepping for Valentine’s Day.  I looked for some craft ideas — and happened upon this one. I hate to admit this, but I do love the Martha craft thing.  This was incredibly easy.  I cut out a billion hearts, punched a hole and inserted a lollipop.  Um, hello!!! This couldn’t have been easier or cuter.  Duke is working on putting his name on all of them and they are done and awesome.

Best part: Since I had the construction paper, the hole punch, and the tape to hold it all together.  This craft took us 1 hour and $1.99 to complete.  TOTAL.